Ekmanochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 38–63.25–100 cm long. Culm-nodes constricted (1), or swollen (1). Leaves differentiated into sheath and blade, or with blades commonly suppressed, transferring photosynthetic function to sheath and culm. Ligule absent. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence. Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes paired; erect; unilateral. Rhachis angular.

Sexes segregated; on unisexual branches; with male conjugate. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels cuneate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 4.98–7.295–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet (1), or exceeding apex of florets (1); thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate (1), or oblong (1); 0.75–0.925–1.1 length of upper glume; herbaceous; without keels; 3 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (1). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex emarginate (1), or acuminate (1). Upper glume lanceolate (1), or oblong (1); 0.33–0.765–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins with cross-veins. Upper glume apex emarginate (1), or acute (1).

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma lanceolate; coriaceous; without keel; wingless. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn flexuous. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined.

MALE Male spikelets distinct from female; lanceolate. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma muticous.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.